Kuehnle Moves Chlamydomonas Toward Commercial Applications

seagriculture.eu
Kuehnle AgroSystems powder

Protein-rich algal biomass produced by KAS’s patented fermentation method. Photo: Kuehnle AgroSystems Inc.

Kuehnle AgroSystems (KAS), a sustainable algae ingredients development company in Honolulu, has announced the allowance of its patent for producing algal proteins and other products from Chlamydomonas by dark fermentation.

According to KAS founder and CEO Dr. Adelheid Kuehnle, this places KAS as the first and only company to achieve a patented, scalable industrial manufacturing platform for Chlamydomonas by fermentation. The breadth of the patent covers aerobic fermentation across a group of algae called the Chlamydomonadales, normally grown photosynthetically. The novel process uses the facultative heterotrophic nature of the cells to become powerful production factories under the right conditions of dark cultivation. No light is required.

“Fermentation is an extremely fast process, producing one ton of product from seed flask in just two weeks,” said Dr. Kuehnle. “It offers a very favorable land and water footprint compared to other plant proteins and employs software-controlled precision cultivation for best outcomes.

“Our company is dedicated to supporting human health and well-being through natural and sustainable ingredients derived from microalgae. This patent protects our ability to do this for a set of ingredients from Chlamydomonas and other species that are pivotal for plant-based foods and animal feeds.”

Meatless protein, flavorful and colorful nutrition

The patented process can be used to make highly digestible and complete plant-based protein for the surging alternative protein markets using Chlamydomonas. “As a whole food, KAS’s microalgae contains greater than 60% protein while delivering minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and other components valued for foods, beverages, and nutraceuticals,” says Dr. Kuehnle.

“Unlike most algae, including Chlorella, the Chlamydomonadales group of algae is distinguished by their soft, non-cellulosic glycoprotein cell walls that do not require added processing or extraction to render its nutrients bioavailable.”

The company notes that the patented process covers production of additional ingredients for adding color, flavor, and vital nutrients to plant-based meat and seafoods, such as hematoproteins and selenoproteins, produced by members of the Chlamydomonadales. Colors of the algae produced by the process range from red, yellow, and green to achlorophyllic.

“We are assessing all possible options to begin implementing this exciting technology in order to commercialize our ingredients, including through licensing and strategic partnerships given the immense interest from industry,” says the firm in a statement.

All rights reserved. Permission required to reprint articles in their entirety. Must include copyright statement and live hyperlinks. Contact david@algaeplanet.com. Algae Planet accepts unsolicited manuscripts for consideration, and takes no responsibility for the validity of claims made in submitted editorial.

seagricultureusa 2023 Portland ME

Subscribe

Breaking-News

  • March 28, 2023: South Korean biotechnology startup Seawith recently signed a new partnership to assess and explore Seawith’s proprietary, cutting-edge microalgae technologies in commercially cultivated meat projects. Read More…
  • March 23, 2023: Provectus Algae has announced that Steven F. Schnittger has joined the company as a cosmetics industry advisor. Mr. Schnittger is the former Vice-President of Global Fermentation and Microbiology R&D at The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and served over 37 years there. Read More…
  • March 21, 2023: Testa Omega-3 has launched its Vrill Omega™ supplement, an innovative plant-based and vegan alternative to krill oil. It represents a new class of highly bioavailable omega-3 supplements offering both essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (DHA and EPA), as well as the potent antioxidant astaxanthin, in a formulation that is rich in easily-absorbed polar lipids – phospholipids and glycolipids — derived from microalgae and plants. Read More…
Seaweed Industry Job Board

A Beginner’s Guide